2024 UPDATED The Empire of Laurendon

The Empire of Laurendon is a unitary parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy located in the North Pacific. The primary sovereign country that forms the basis of the Empire is the Kingdom of Laurendia serving as the colonial overlord and mother country for its overseas dominions. Its capital and largest city is Carsen.

The current Monarch is King Henry VI of the Imperial House of Dean. He holds the royal titles of both King and Emperor and is often styled as the King/Emperor of Laurendon. Both titles can be used interchangeably when addressing the sovereign without causing offence or breaking royal protocol. The country is governed by the Chancellor of Laurendon who leads His Majesty's Government in the interests of the King and the country.

The Empire has a partially regulated market economy. Its frighteningly efficient economy, worth 1,043 trillion Laurons a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Retail industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Information Technology, and Book Publishing. The average income is an impressive 188,488 Laurons, with the richest citizens earning only 2.5 times as much as the poorest.

The currency used by the kingdom and its subject states is the Lauron (symbol: Ł). The use of a common currency has led to the creation of the Laurendon common market forging a single unified market between the imperial states of the Empire as well as creating an economic dependency for the subject states to rely on the mother country.

His Majesty's Most Loyal Parliament serves as the central legislative body of government and representation for the electorate. Alongside the local Parliament is the Imperial State Parliament which serves as the legislative body for joint decisions regarding imperial policy with representation for all overseas dominions and colonies.

The Empire is a member of The World Assembly and a regional member of The North Pacific Alliance.

Etymology and terminology

The island of Laurendon, steeped in rich history and cultural heritage, has undergone a fascinating evolution in its etymology and terminology, reflecting the diverse influences and dynamics of its inhabitants and neighbouring kingdoms.

Origins of the Name "Laurendon" and "Laurendia":

The etymology of the name "Laurendon" is shrouded in myth and legend, with various theories proposed by scholars and historians over the centuries. One prevailing theory suggests that the name originated from an ancient language spoken by the island's indigenous peoples, possibly derived from words meaning "land of abundance" or "place of prosperity." Another hypothesis posits that "Laurendon" may have been influenced by early settlers or invaders who bestowed the name upon the island as a tribute to a revered leader, deity, or geographical feature.

The etymology of the name "Laurendia" traces back to a historical misinterpretation by King Richard I, who ruled during a pivotal period of consolidation and unification. Presented with ancient documents by scholars, King Richard encountered the term "Laurendon." However, due to a misinterpretation, he mistakenly believed it to be "Laurendia." In his conviction that it represented the same concept, King Richard decided to christen his newly unified kingdom as "Laurendia," inadvertently giving rise to the name that would endure through the annals of history.

As Laurendia emerged as the preeminent kingdom on the island, its rulers and scholars promoted the use of the term "Laurendon" as the standard way to refer to the entire landmass in official documents, administrative records, and historical chronicles. This standardization of terminology helped solidify Laurendia's hegemony and reinforce its claim to territorial sovereignty.

Early Inhabitants and Cultural Influences:

The earliest inhabitants of Laurendon are believed to have been indigenous tribes who migrated to the island thousands of years ago, establishing settlements along its coasts and fertile valleys. These ancient peoples developed sophisticated societies, practised agriculture, and traded with neighbouring civilizations. Over time, Laurendon became a melting pot of cultural influences, as waves of settlers, traders, and conquerors arrived on its shores, bringing with them their languages, customs, and traditions. Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Arab explorers and merchants all left their mark on the island, contributing to its vibrant tapestry of cultures.

Rise of the Lauren Kingdom:

The emergence of the Lauren Kingdom marked a pivotal moment in the island's history, as indigenous tribes coalesced under the leadership of a visionary ruler to form a unified state. The exact origins of the kingdom remain shrouded in myth and legend, but archaeological evidence suggests that it began to take shape around the first millennium BCE. The Lauren Kingdom flourished as a centre of trade, commerce, and learning, boasting advanced agricultural practices, bustling ports, and renowned centres of scholarship. Its capital, Carvion, became a hub of culture and innovation, attracting scholars, artists, and artisans from across the known world. Petty King Richard, recognizing the strategic advantages of the Lauren Kingdom's resources, economic strength, and strategic position, conquered it and established it as his central stronghold instead of his own realm of Brav.

Terminology and Cultural Identity:

The inhabitants of Laurendon, known as Laurendians, take pride in their island's rich history and cultural heritage. The term "Laurendian" is used to describe individuals of diverse ethnic, linguistic, and religious backgrounds who identify with the shared values, traditions, and aspirations of the Laurendian Kingdom. In addition to Laurendon and its inhabitants, neighbouring kingdoms and civilizations have developed their own terminology to refer to the island and its people. These terms may vary depending on historical and geopolitical factors, as well as cultural perceptions and interactions.

Legacy and Modern Interpretations:

Today, the legacy of the many kingdoms live on in their archaeological sites, architectural marvels, and vibrant cultural traditions. The island continues to attract visitors and scholars from around the world, drawn to its natural beauty, historical significance, and enduring legacy. While interpretations of Laurendon's etymology and terminology may vary among historians and linguists, the island remains a symbol of resilience, creativity, and the enduring human spirit. In summary, the etymology and terminology history of Laurendon and its inhabitants reflect a fascinating journey of cultural exchange, adaptation, and evolution, shaping the identity and legacy of the island and its people for generations to come.

History

Early Hisory

Millennia before recorded history, the island of Laurendon was inhabited by indigenous tribes who established settlements along its coasts and fertile river valleys. These early inhabitants relied on hunting, fishing, and agriculture to sustain their communities, crafting tools and pottery indicative of their resourcefulness and ingenuity. The precise origins of these indigenous peoples remain shrouded in mystery, with archaeological evidence suggesting migrations from neighbouring regions and interactions with seafaring civilizations from distant lands.

The island's massive size made it a magnet for seafaring peoples from neighbouring lands. Foreign sailors plied the surrounding seas, establishing trading outposts and coastal settlements to facilitate the exchange of goods and ideas. These early interactions laid the groundwork for the island's cosmopolitan character, as merchants, artisans, and travellers from diverse backgrounds converged on its shores, enriching its cultural tapestry and stimulating economic growth.

The island attracted the attention of ambitious conquerors seeking to expand their dominions. Neighbouring regions vied for control of its strategic harbours and fertile plains, leaving behind fortifications, temples, and artefacts as testaments to their presence. The island's indigenous tribes often found themselves caught in the crossfire of rival powers, forging alliances or resistance movements to safeguard their autonomy and way of life. The indigenous peoples, while initially resistant to foreign rule, gradually assimilated aspects of the colonizers' culture, language, and religion, forging hybrid identities that reflected the island's diverse heritage.

Emergence of Early Kingdoms:

By the first millennium BCE, the island had begun to coalesce into proto-states and petty kingdoms, each vying for supremacy over its neighbours. These early polities, ruled by chieftains, warlords, or tribal councils, laid the foundations for more centralized forms of governance and territorial expansion in the centuries to come. The gradual consolidation of power and emergence of proto-urban centers heralded a new era of political organization and cultural development, as nascent kingdoms sought to assert their authority and secure their borders against external threats. The first major kingdom to emerge was the Kingdom of Lauren, pioneering the incorporation of smaller kingdoms and fostering tribal cohesion.

The Iron Age witnessed a proliferation of urban settlements and fortified citadels across the island, as trade networks expanded, agricultural techniques improved, and craftsmanship flourished. These urban centres served as hubs of innovation, attracting scholars, artisans, and artisans from afar. The island's cultural and artistic achievements during this period laid the groundwork for the flowering of Laurendian civilization in the centuries that followed, as its inhabitants forged a distinct identity rooted in resilience, creativity, and cosmopolitanism.

As the petty Kingdoms engaged in internal conflicts, Laurendia faced repeated incursions from foreign invaders. Amid these foreign invasions, Richard, ruler of the minor kingdom of Brav, emerged as a beacon of resistance, leading daring raids and decisive battles against the encroaching forces. Richard's military campaigns were marked by audacious manoeuvres and decisive victories. Through a series of meticulously planned battles and strategic sieges, he gradually subdued the minor kingdoms that dotted the landscape of Laurendia, consolidating his power and expanding his realm. With the last of the foreign invaders driven off and the minor kingdoms brought under his sway, Richard proclaimed the establishment of a unified kingdom of Laurendia. His coronation as its first sovereign marked the dawn of a new era of stability and prosperity for the realm. King Richard's legacy as the unifier of Laurendia endured long after his reign. Thus, he earned the epithet "Richard the Glorious."

While creating the new kingdom, Richard initially planned to name his unified kingdom after the Kingdom of Lauren, the largest realm on the island. However, scholars presented ancient texts suggesting the island was originally called "Laurendon" by indigenous tribes. Due to the texts' poor preservation, Richard misinterpreted "Laurendon" as "Laurendia" and christened his kingdom thus, seeing himself as the rightful ruler of the entire island. Later on during his reign, as scholars delved deeper into ancient texts and linguistic records, they began to question the accuracy of King Richard's interpretation. Through meticulous research and analysis, they deduced that the original term was likely "Laurendon" instead of "Laurendia."

Following this discovery, as the Kingdom of Laurendia did not yet hold dominion over the entire island, efforts were made to endorse the term "Laurendon" as the official name of the landmass. This move aimed to assert Laurendia's natural and rightful authority over the entire island, laying the groundwork for its claim. Consequently, "Laurendon" became the prevailing designation used in official documents, administrative records, and historical accounts henceforth.

Geography

The total area of the Kingdom of Laurendia is approximately 242,495 square kilometres (93,628 sq mi). The country occupies the island of Laurendon and some smaller surrounding islands. Most of the country consists of lowland terrain, with more upland and some mountainous terrain in the north. The main rivers and estuaries are the Winterisle, Trenswell and the Corcook. Laurendia's highest mountain is Mount Kiprey (3,571 ft).

Climate

Due to its large size and wide range of geographic islands, the Empire of Laurendon contains examples of nearly every global climate.

The Kingdom of Laurendia mostly has a temperate climate, with generally cool temperatures and plentiful rainfall all year round. The temperature varies with the seasons, winters are chilly and damp and may experience heavy snowfall. Spring and autumn are unpredictable and can range from cool to warm, although they are usually mild with low humidity. Summers are typically hot and humid.

The overseas dominions and territories experience a wider range of climates including tropical, subtropical, polar, semiarid, arid and Mediterranean.

Enivornment

The Empire of Laurendon is committed to nature conservation. There are hundreds of state-managed parks, forests, and wilderness areas. As of October 6, 2021, 10.2% of national deaths were attributed to being lost in the wilderness. The most prominent environmental agency is the Laurendon Environmental Protection Agency (LEPA).

Environmental issues include debates over the use of nuclear energy, dealing with air and water pollution, the economic costs of protecting wildlife, logging and deforestation, and climate change. The Empire of Laurendon is a signatory to an international climate treaty.

Demographics

Population

The Laurendon Office for National Statistics (LONS) reported 5.537 billion residents as of August 7, 2023. This figure includes Laurendon's overseas imperial territories. Laurendon is an ethnically diverse society. The largest ethnic group in the Empire is White Laurendians, followed by a variety of ethnic groups. A census is taken simultaneously in all parts of Laurendon every 10 years.

Language

Laurendian is the official and the most predominantly spoken language in Laurendia. English is the second most commonly used language in the Empire. It is compulsory for pupils to study a second language up to the age of 14. English is the most common second language taught in schools.

Religion

Forms of Christianity have dominated religious life in what is now Laurendia for over 1,400 years. Although a majority of citizens still identify with Christianity in many surveys, regular church attendance has fallen dramatically since the middle of the 20th century, this has led to the country being considered a secularised, or post-Christian society. Religion, in general, has become more irreverent every year which has resulted in campaigns for a constitutional amendment for a separation of church and state.

Government and politics

The Empire of Laurendon is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The parliament of Laurendon has two houses: an elected Chamber of Representatives and an appointed Chamber of Lords. All bills passed are given Royal Assent before becoming law.

The monarch is the head of state, at present King Henry VI . Constitutionally, the position is equipped with limited powers. By law, the King has the right to be periodically briefed and consulted on government affairs. The head of government is the Chancellor of the Laurendon.

The position of Chancellor belongs to the person most likely to command the confidence of the Chamber of Representatives; this individual is typically the leader of the political party or coalition of parties that holds the largest number of seats in that chamber. The Chancellor chooses a cabinet and its members are formally appointed by the monarch to form His Majesty's Government. The cabinet is traditionally drawn from members of the Chancellor's party or coalition and mostly from the Chamber of Representatives but always from both legislative houses, the cabinet being responsible to both. Executive power is exercised by the Chancellor and cabinet, the cabinet usually consists of 13 to 16 ministers and a varying number of state secretaries.

For elections to the Chamber of Representatives, the Kingdom of Laurendia is divided into 575 constituencies each electing a single member of parliament (MP) by use of the first past the post electoral system. These are held every five years, or sooner in case, the government falls (for example: when one of the chambers carries a motion of no confidence, the incumbent government offers its resignation to the monarch).

Imperial State Parliament

The Empire of Laurendon is officially the leading nation within the Laurendon Imperial Federation, a unified federal union governed as a superstate. Its governance is centralized, with a common imperial parliament headquartered in Carsen. The overseas dominions and colonies maintain local Parliaments derived from the Laurendon Parliamentary system for local self-governance. The parliament meets to deal with the issues of internal trade, foreign relations, defence and other issues that affect the entire federation. The parliament serves as a purely Imperial body, and the federal authority is separated into three branches:

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Legislature: the bicameral Parliament, comprising the Imperial Senate, and the Imperial Chamber of Representatives.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Executive: the executive branch headed by the Imperial Council;
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Judiciary: the Imperial High Court of Laurendon;

King Henry VI reigns as Emperor of Laurendon and acts as a legal figurehead for the actions of the Imperial Council of the Empire. The Emperor does have extraordinary reserve powers which may be exercised outside the Imperial Council's request in rare and limited circumstances.

The Imperial Council of the Empire consists of elected heads of government from the Laurendian Imperial states. Serving as the executive arm of the Union, the council convenes to set the Federation's policy agenda and holds the authority to veto legislative bills before they are enacted into law. Responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Federation, the council ensures adherence to laws and treaties. The council is presided over by the Lord Chancellor, tasked with chairing and directing its operations. This pivotal position rotates among the states every three years. Moreover, every law must be promulgated by the Chancellor, making this role integral to the governance of the Imperial Federation.

The Imperial Parliament is the legislative body of the Imperial Federation, comprising two chambers: the Imperial Senate and the Imperial Chamber of Representatives. Together, they enact laws, oversee the executive branch, and uphold the principles of democracy and justice within the federation.

The Imperial Chamber of Representatives, functioning as the lower house of Parliament, is responsible for representing the citizens' interests and enacting legislation. Its 641 members are elected every five years by universal suffrage and sit according to political allegiance. They represent nearly 412 million overseas citizens and form the only directly elected body in the Federation.

The Imperial Senate serves as the upper house of the Parliament, representing the interests of Imperial states in the legislative process. The Senate is composed of members appointed by the governments of each member state. Each member state has equal representation in the Senate, regardless of its population size or geographic area.

The Imperial High Court of Laurendon is the judicial branch of the Imperial Federation (IF) and is responsible for interpreting imperial law and treaties in cooperation with the national judiciary of the Imperial states.

Foreign Relations and Military

Laurendon has an established structure of foreign relations. It is a member of the World Assembly and a regional member of The North Pacific Alliance. It shares close ties with its dominions and colonial subjects.

The Empire of Laurendon maintains a large military that operates all over the world. Mainly garrisoned in Imperial bases. The Armed Forces are charged with protecting the Empire and its overseas territories, promoting Laurendon's global security interests and supporting international peacekeeping efforts.

The military is composed of three branches, all of which carry the prefix Royal:

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • the Royal Laurendian Navy, including the Naval Air Service and Marine Corps;
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • the Royal Laurendian Army;
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • the Royal Laurendian Air Force;

The Commander-in-Chief is the Laurendian monarch, to whom members of the armed forces swear an oath of allegiance. The authority to issue orders and give commands to military personnel is delegated by the Monarch to commanders in the field, however, the Monarch does retain the right to issue orders personally. The armed forces of the Empire are managed by the Ministry of Defence and controlled by the Defence Council, chaired by the Secretary of State for Defence. Military service in the Empire is voluntary, although conscription may occur in wartime.

The Laurendon armed forces played a key role in establishing the Laurendian Empire and to this day maintain its overseas territories. Defence funding currently takes up 10.7% of government expenditure. Laurendon is a recognised nuclear power possessing a nuclear stockpile for defence purposes.

The Empire currently adopts a No first use (NFU) policy officially stating "Laurendon will not be the first to initiate a nuclear first strike, but will respond with punitive retaliation should deterrence fail". In April 2015 Defence Secretary Terrell Whitmore proposed revising the nuclear weapon policy to that of an ambiguous stance so that adversaries would not know when the Empire would launch nuclear strikes. This policy change remains under review.

Economy

The economy of Laurendon is a highly developed social market economy. As of 2023, the economy is worth 1,043 trillion Laurons a year ranking in the top 5% of strongest economies in the world measured by nominal gross domestic product (GDP). His Majesty's Treasury (HM Treasury), led by the Lord of the Treasury, is responsible for developing and executing the government's public finance policy and economic policy. The Bank of Laurendon is the empire's central bank and is responsible for issuing notes and coins in the nation's currency, the Lauron (symbol: Ł), the currency is used by its dominions and colonies operating in a common market.

The overall economy is fairly diversified. The leading industry in the nation is the massively powerful Retail sector which is ranked in the top 0.8% of the largest and most financially rich retail sectors in the world. Tourism in Laurendon is the second most prominent industry and contributor to the economy, with the nation being ranked in the top 2% for most visited nations in the world. The Tech Industry is the 3rd largest sector followed by the Book publishing industry which while not as financially lucrative as the other sectors is ranked in the top 1% as one of the largest book Publishing industries in the world.

A systematic review of the overall economy as of 2023 states that government expenditure makes up 18.2%, state-owned industry makes up 0.2% and the private sector makes up the rest with 81.6% of the economy. The Average income per person is an impressive Ł188,488 and is evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning Ł288,996 per person compared to the poorest earning Ł115,760 per person which is a difference of 2.5.

The breakdown of government expenditure which is estimated to cost 190 trillion Laurons or just 18.2 of the overall economy is divided into 11 competing categories. The largest funded sector is the government administration itself costing 17.4%, the next largest is the education sector costing 15.7%, healthcare takes 14.9%, industry receives 12.2%, defence 10%, law and order 10%, welfare 7.2%, environment 5.6%, social policy 2.9%, public transport 2.3% and international aid 1.8%.

As of May 2023, the average income tax rate is 39.5%, but much higher for the wealthy. The Government has pledged to maintain low taxes following a massive tax cut introduced in 2021 after the tax rate reached 68.74%.

Starting in 2020, the income tax rate began to rapidly climb from 23.55% reaching 68.74% by August 29th 2021. The tax increase was due to massive government spending funding various programs. Once the tax rate reached 52.09%, the government tried to slow spending but had to gradually raise rates. By April 21st, 2021 the tax rate reached roughly 65%, at this point the government promised to maintain this general rate. The Chancellor was criticised highly for the massive tax rate. On August 29th, the government introduced a tax cut dubbed "the great tax cut" by the media dropping the tax rate from 68.74% to 14.03% and slashing public services in the process.

Culture

The culture of Laurendon has been influenced by many factors including the nation's island status; its history as a liberal democracy and a major power; as well as being a political union of two countries with each preserving elements of distinctive traditions, customs and symbolism. As a result of the Laurendon Empire, the colonies and dominions have a common culture deeply influenced by the mother country. Laurendonians have traditionally been characterized as compassionate, hard-working, democratic and cheerful people who hold their civil and political rights very dear, Laurendon has been described as a "cultural superpower" being ranked in the top 2% of the most cultured nations in the world.

Historically, the Laurendon Isles were a culturally grouped country and developed native traditions, however as a result of the expansion of the Laurendonian Empire, the country absorbed different peoples of the world. The Capital city Carsen has been described as a world cultural capital. As one of the world's major global cities, Carsen exerts a strong influence on its arts, entertainment, fashion, commerce and finance, education, health care, media, science and technology, tourism, and transport and communications. People living in Carsen are called Carsenians.

Empire Day

Empire Day is a public holiday held annually on October 6 across the Empire of Laurendon. Initially, in honour of Empress Catherine's birthday, it has since been commemorated as a celebration of imperial unity. Festivities of the holiday include a royal address from the sovereign. The Royal Imperial Flag is flown from sunrise to sunset at all government buildings across the empire, parades in various cities, flag-raising ceremonies and firework displays accompanied by patriotic songs.

Infrastructure

Laurendon has invested heavily in transportation infrastructure. Transport in Laurendon is facilitated by road, air, rail, and water networks. The country has approximately 1,200,000 kilometres (750,000 miles) of roads made up of 1,000,000 kilometres (620,000 miles) of city, town and village roads, 130,000 kilometres (81,000 miles) of prefectural roads, 54,736 kilometres (34,011 miles) of general national highways and 7641 kilometres (4748 miles) of national expressways as of 2017.

Since privatization in 1974, dozens of Laurendonian railway companies compete in regional and local passenger transportation markets; major companies include TrackRider, Railway One, Paramount-Trains and Catenary. The high-speed bullet trains that connect major cities are known for their safety and punctuality.

There are 3000 airports across the Empire of Laurendon as of 2010. The largest international airport, Carsen International Airport handled 65.6 million passengers and the second largest airport Millen International Airport handled 31.5 million passengers in 2022. Public transport makes up 2.3 of government expenditure.

Energy

Laurendon has pursued a strong policy of energy security, namely through heavy investment in nuclear energy. Energy in Laurendon is generated from five primary sources: coal, natural gas, liquid fuels, nuclear power, and renewables. In 2020, nuclear power made up the largest portion of electricity generation, the Laurendon government is investing in Small Modular Reactors and Advanced Modular Reactors research and development.

Water supply and sanitation

Access to improved water supply and sanitation in Laurendon is universal. It is estimated that 96 per cent of households are connected to the sewer network. In Laurendia the economic regulator of water
companies is the Water Services Commission (WSC). The Laurendon Environment Protection Agency is responsible for environmental regulation, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate for regulating drinking water quality. For the rest of the empire, the Laurendon Water Industry Commission is responsible for water regulation and adheres to the Environment Agency for industry standards.